(12)
Supplementary Minute on the levy of Taxes by the Chinese Authorities on the Fishing Trade of the Colony---Establishment of a depôt within the Colony.
In 1868 it was brought to the knowledge of the Hongkong Government that two armed Cruisers, called No. 1 and No. 2, and only known by these designations, were in the habit of visiting the ports of the Colony, and collecting a tax for the San-On Salt Farmer. The fishermen of this Colony were called upon to take licences from the Cruisers, and the rate levied was said to be $2.50 for a licence allowing a junk to have on board 100 piculs of salt. The whole facts will be found recorded in C.S.O.91, C.S.O.98, Memo. of Governor MACDONNELL, C.S.O.144, C.S.O.204A, of 1868, and also in Governor MACDONNELL'S despatches to the Secretary of State, No.473 of 7th April, 1868, and No.604 of 28th October, 1868. The Governor protested, through the British Consul at Canton, against the unwarrantable acts of these Cruisers, entering our ports and collecting taxes from the fish-trade, and pointed out in one of his despatches that Mr. Ho A-Lo had attempted to establish a Salt Depôt for the issuing of licences in the Colony, a proceeding which could not be allowed. The Viceroy of Canton, in 1869, issued certain proclamations in reference to illegal Cruisers, and nothing more was heard for a time.
The history of the improper seizure of Hongkong Fishing Junks, for not having proper licences from the Salt Farmer, is part of the history of the Blockade question, and it now appears from reports of the Registrar General of the 26th April, and 9th May, that since the end of last year a branch establishment of the San-On Salt Farm exists on the Praya. It is called the Yan-wo Tong. There are a couple of Cruisers under its orders, called No. 1 and No. 2, probably the same as levied similar taxes 15 years ago. It will be seen from the Registrar General's Report (See Appendix E.), that a license was bought at the Yan-wo T'ong office in May, for $5. The form of licence is shown in that report. As His Excellency is aware, a reference, through the British Consul at Canton to the Viceroy has been made, calling for explanations as to the right of the Salt Farmers to levy taxes in British territory, or to collect taxes from the Hongkong Salt Fish trade. In all probability the depôt will be disowned, and the Cruisers alleged to be out of the Viceroy's jurisdiction.
There is, however, something to be said about the fishing boats, which salt their fish at sea having permits. If they had 100 piculs of salt they might evade the Salt Commissioners' tax, which is a heavy one. I believe it amounts to $1.50 per 120 catties. That is $1.50 for 13 piculs.
28th August, 1883.
J. RUSSELL,
(13)
Appendix A.
**HONGKONG BLOCKADE QUESTION--PROPOSED BASIS OF SETTLEMENT**
BY THE LATE SIR BROOKE ROBERTSON, K.C.M.G., C.B.
1. With regard to the collection of duties and war-tax on vessels entering and clearing from Hongkong, it is proposed that the Viceroy of the Two Kwang should, in conjunction with the Superintendent of Customs, Canton, appoint a fitting person as his deputy to generally superintend this matter. It is further proposed that a Customs Station shall be established as near as possible to the boundaries of the British territory somewhere in the neighbourhood of Kan-lung, to make the levies and to issue clearances and receipts.
2. That the Viceroy of the Two Kwang shall in conjunction with the Superintendent of Customs, Canton, appoint an Englishman as an Officer to assist at the new Station.
The collection of duties and war-tax to be under the joint surveillance of the Chinese wei-yuan and Foreign Assistant, under the direction of the former.
3. After the establishment of the new Station, all junks clearing from Hongkong with cargo shall hand in manifests to and pay duty at the new Station, and shall receive clearances; the junk shall then be examined at Kap-shui Mun, Fat-tau Chau, or Chang Chau, as the case may be, to see that the cargo corresponds with the manifest.
Junks proceeding to Hongkong shall also stop at the three Stations above mentioned to have their Goods examined and to be given clearances, and shall then proceed to the new duty Station to pay such duties as may be due.
4. That all Revenue Cruisers of every description, whether steamers or sailing junks, are to be entirely under the jurisdiction of the new duty Station. These cruisers shall be supplied with a special flag, and their crews shall be dressed in a special uniform. Any junk they capture must be forwarded to the new duty Station to be examined by the Deputy and Foreign Assistant, who will enquire whether she is guilty of smuggling or not.
5. That if any Chinese residing in the Colony is suspected of smuggling, a report of the circumstances shall be made to the Viceroy, who will communicate it to the Hongkong Government.
6. If after a seizure has been effected by the new Station, a complaint is lodged with the Hongkong Authorities, it shall be competent for the Colonial Government to appoint an Officer to proceed to the Station to make enquiries, and in conjunction with the new duty Station, to summon witnesses, jointly investigate the matter, and settle it on fair basis. If the British Official cannot agree with the Officers of the new Station, and therefore the case cannot be settled, each must report the matter to the Hongkong Government and the Viceroy respectively.
7. That the Tariff of dues and duties leviable on Chinese junks shall be published for general information, as also the penalties to be inflicted in case of any breach of Customs Regulations.
455
( 12 )
Supplementary Minute on the levy of Taxes by the Chinese Authorities on the Fishing Trade of the Colony---Establishment of a depôt within the Colony.
In 1868 it was brought to the knowledge of the Hongkong Government that two armed Cruisers, called No. 1 and No. 2, and only known by these designations, were in the habit of visiting the ports of the Colony, and collecting a tax for the San-On Salt Farmer. The fishermen of this Colony were called upon to take licences from the Cruisers, and the rate levied was said to be $2.50 for a licence allowing a junk to have on board 100 piculs of salt. The whole facts will be found recorded in C.S.O. 91, C.S.O. 98, Memo. of Governor MACDONNELL, C.S.O. 144. C.S.O. 204A, of 1868, and also in Governor MACDONNELL'S despatches to the Secretary of State, No. 473 of 7th April, 1868, and No. 604 of 28th October, 1868. The Governor protested, through the British Consul at Canton, against the unwarrantable acts of these Cruisers, entering our ports and collecting taxes from the fish-trade, and pointed out in one of his despatches that Mr. Ho A-Lo had attempted to establish a Salt. Depôt for the issuing of licences in the Colony, a proceeding which could not be allowed. The Viceroy of Canton, in 1869, issued certain proclamations in reference to illegal Cruisers, and nothing more was heard for a time.
The history of the improper seizure of Hongkong Fishing Junks, for not having proper licences from the Salt Farmer, is part of the history of the Blockade question, and it now appears from reports of the Registrar General of the 26th April, and 9th May, that since the end of last year a branch establishment of the San-On Salt Farm exists on the Praya. It is called the Yan-wo Tong. There are a couple of Cruisers under its orders, called No. 1 and No. 2, probably the same as levied similar taxes
15
years ago. It will be seen from the Registrar General's Report (See Appendix E.), that a license was bought at the Yan-wo T'ong office in May, for $5. The form of licence is shown in that report. As His Excellency is aware, a reference, through the British Consul at Canton to the Viceroy has been made, calling for explanati ons as to the right of the Salt Farmers to levy taxes in British territory, or to collect taxes from the Hong- kong Salt Fish trade. In all probability the depôt will be disowned, and the Cruisers alleged to be out of the Viceroy's jurisdiction.
There is, however, something to be said about the fishing boats, which salt their fish at sea having permits. If they had 100 piculs of salt they might evade the Salt Commissioners' tax, which is a heavy one. I believe it amounts to $1.50 per 120 cattics. That is $1.50 for 13 piculs.
28th August, 1883.
J. RUSSELL,
( 13 )
Appendix A.
HONGKONG BLOCKADE QUESTION--PROPOSED BASIS
OF SETTLEMENT.
BY THE LATE SIR BROOKE ROBERTSON, K.C.M.G., C.B.
1. With regard to the collection of duties and war-tax on vessels entering and clearing from Hongkong, it is proposed that the Viceroy of the Two Kwang should, in conjunc- tion with the Superintendent of Customs, Canton, appoint a fitting person as his deputy to generally superintend this matter. It is further proposed that a Customs Station shall be established as near as possible to the boundaries of the British territory some- where in the neighbourhood of Kan-lung, to make the levies and to issue clearances and receipts.
2. That the Viceroy of the Two Kwang shall in conjunction with the Superintendent of Customs, Canton, appoint an Englishman as an Officer to assist at the new Station.
The collection of duties and war-tax to be under the joint surveillance of the Chinese wei-yuan and Foreign Assistant, under the direction of the former.
3. After the establishment of the new Station, all junks clearing from Hongkong with cargo shall hand in manifests to and pay duty at the new Station, and shall receive clearances; the junk shall then be examined at Kap-shui Mun, Fat-tau Chau, or Chang Chau, as the case may be, to see that the cargo corresponds with the manifest.
Junks proceeding to Hongkong shall also stop at the three Stations above mentioned to have their Goods examined and to be given clearances, and shall then proceed to the new duty Station to pay such duties as may be due.
4. That all Revenue Cruisers of every description, whether steamers or sailing juuks, are to be entirely under the jurisdiction of the new duty Station. These cruisers shall be supplied with a special flag, and their crews shall be dressed in a special uniform. Any junk they capture must be forwarded to the new duty Station to be examined by the Deputy and Foreign Assistant, who will enquire whether she is guilty of smuggling or
not.
5. That if any Chinese residing in the Colony is suspected of smuggling, a report of the circumstances shall be made to the Viceroy, who will communicate it to the Hong- kong Government.
6. If after a seizure has been effected by the new Station, a complaint is lodged with the Hongkong Authorities, it shall be competent for the Colonial Government to appoint an Officer to proceed to the Station to make enquiries, and in conjunction with the new duty Station, to summon witnesses, jointly investigate the matter, and settle it on fair basis. If the British Official cannot agree with the Officers of the new Station, and therefore the case cannot be settled, each must report the matter to the Hongkong Government and the Viceroy respectively.
7. That the Tariff of dues and duties leviable on Chinese juuks shall be published for general information, as also the penalties to be inflicted in case of any breach of Customs Regulations.
455
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